Offensive Bumper Sticker Law

[strickj]

freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2743456/posts

"NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Starting Friday,

Tennessee drivers caught with

obscene or patently offensive

bumper stickers, window signs or

other markings on their vehicle

visible to other drivers face an

automatic $50 fine. "

They're really going after that silly first amendment this year, eh

Maybe the ACLU will file suit over this one too

Edited July 10, 2011 by strickj

[mav]

Who defines what is offensive?

[mikegideon]

Who defines what is offensive?

Who else? Our rulers.

[ftncityfatboy]

They're really going after that silly first amendment this year, eh

the mere fact you have ended your sentence with "eh" tells me you have some origin(s) north of the border, am I right? Just kidding........lets start a thread on things we find offensive...........eh?

[Oh Shoot]

the mere fact you have ended your sentence with "eh" tells me you have some origin(s) north of the border, am I right? Just kidding........lets start a thread on things we find offensive...........eh?

I'll lead off:

1. MS Comic Sans, including italic.

- OS

[ftncityfatboy]

you got me.......

[Guest bkelm18]

Will this include those giant nutsacks that supposedly straight men hang off their trailer hitches?

[mikegideon]

Will this include those giant nutsacks that supposedly straight men hang off their trailer hitches?

NO!

[Guest m&pc9]

How about this one?

Not really a bumper sticker.

[Fallguy]

This is a fairly old law...seems the only thing changing is the judge's abiltiy to determine the fine. Used to be the fine could be between $2 and $50 depending on how offensive it was. Now it will be just a straight $50 across the board.

New law amending below Public Chapter 58

55-8-187. Obscene or patently offensive bumper stickers, window signs, etc., prohibited.

To avoid distracting other drivers and thereby reduce the likelihood of accidents arising from lack of attention or concentration, the display of obscene and patently offensive movies, bumper stickers, window signs or other markings on or in a motor vehicle that are visible to other drivers is prohibited and display of such materials shall subject the owner of the vehicle on which they are displayed, upon conviction, to a fine of not less than two dollars ($2.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00). "Obscene" or "patently offensive" has the meaning specified in § 39-17-901.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-187

39-17-901. Part definitions.

The following definitions apply in this part, unless the context requires otherwise:

(10) "Obscene" means:

(A) The average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;

(

The average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct; and

© The work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value;

(11) "Patently offensive" means that which goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in describing or representing such matters;

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-901

Edited July 10, 2011 by Fallguy

[DaveTN]

I guess the Officer that stops you will be the one deciding. That is unless you can take a day off work and go to court for free.

It’s not a “must appear†is it?

[TNRobocop]

Cool, I can start calling in those stupid coexist stickers along with Obama '08 decals....

Look for the silver lining guys...lol.

[Kenstaroni]

$50 per Obama sticker sounds good to me....the people that voted for him are responsible and should help pay back all the money he has spent.

[mikegideon]

Cool, I can start calling in those stupid coexist stickers along with Obama '08 decals....

Look for the silver lining guys...lol.

There's a good response to the coexist sticker. I have one.

[G27]

I'll lead off:

1. MS Comic Sans, including italic.

- OS

*spits coffee all over monitor*

[G27]

There's a good response to the coexist sticker. I have one.

Yep!

[Worriedman]

There's a good response to the coexist sticker. I have one.

Where did you get it?

[East_TN_Patriot]

Cool, I can start calling in those stupid coexist stickers along with Obama '08 decals....

Look for the silver lining guys...lol.

See? This law might work out OK after all.

[East_TN_Patriot]

Where did you get it?

Gun Coexist Sticker (Bumper) by LetsCoexist- 476333899

[LagerHead]

How about this one?

Not really a bumper sticker.

I'm personally not offended by the NRA sticker, but I guess I can see how some may be. I don't see anything else that could be offensive though.

[Paladin132]

I am not so sure that it holds constitutional muster. The law can definitely have a chilling effect on free speech and also seems to vague. If it is only 50$ though I am thinking it does not matter... Or at least will never be challenged that way.

[RobertNashville]

I have custom made lettering on both my vehicles that reads "My Basset Hound is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama"...most people find it funny; some DO find it offensive (which just bothers me to no end of course ).

I suspect that any day now, they'll be telling me what posters/art work I can hang on the walls inside of my own home on the theory that a bugler may be "offended" if he sees it while he's inside of my house steeling my stuff.

Edited July 11, 2011 by RobertNashville

[DHF]

It is the "eye of the beholder" part that is worrisome. Already a story out of Dickson, TN on a issue. This time it was a LOE that found the sticker offensive and she removed it.

Woman Pulled Over For Offensive Bumper Sticker - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

From the stories that ran on stations when this came out, it seems anyone can call and issue a complaint and an officer will check it out. The officer in this WTVF story instructs the lady to do the same.

I think I am going to get a sticker made that says "Offensive".

[G27]

I'm personally not offended by the NRA sticker, but I guess I can see how some may be. I don't see anything else that could be offensive though.

HAHAHAHAHAHA, very nicely done, sir.

[dunndw]

I have "Stay back 100 meters or you will be shot" from Spikes Tactical on my truck....wonder what bedwetting pansy will call in on me